Looking for synonyms for paganism? We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a list of other ways to say paganism.
- Heathenism
- Polytheism
- Idolatry
- Nature worship
- Pantheism
- Animism
- Shamanism
- Druidism
- Wicca
- Folk religion
- Hellenism
- Norse paganism
- Neo-paganism
- Gentilism
- Heresy (in historical contexts)
- Mytholatry
- Infidelity (in historical contexts)
- Earth-centered spirituality
- Traditional religion
- Ancestral worship
Want to learn how to say paganism professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.
1. Heathenism
When to use: Referring to a pre-Christian religion or the religion of a people who do not worship the God of Christianity, Judaism, or Islam.
Example: “Ancient heathenism involved a complex system of gods and rituals.”
2. Polytheism
When to use: For belief systems that worship multiple gods.
Example: “Polytheism was common in ancient civilizations, with gods for various aspects of life.”
3. Idolatry
When to use: When referring to the worship of idols or physical objects as gods.
Example: “In some ancient cultures, idolatry was a central aspect of religious practice.”
4. Nature Worship
When to use: Suitable for religious beliefs that venerate the natural world.
Example: “Nature worship often involves rituals and practices to honor the earth and its elements.”
5. Pantheism
When to use: For belief systems that equate God with the universe and its forces.
Example: “Pantheism sees the divine in all aspects of the natural world.”
6. Animism
When to use: Referring to the belief that natural objects, places, and creatures possess a spiritual essence.
Example: “Animism is prevalent in many indigenous cultures, where every element of nature is believed to have a spirit.”
7. Shamanism
When to use: Suitable for practices involving a practitioner reaching altered states of consciousness to interact with the spirit world.
Example: “Shamanism plays a key role in some tribal societies, with shamans acting as healers and spiritual guides.”
8. Druidism
When to use: For the religious practices of the ancient Celtic druids.
Example: “Druidism was central to Celtic culture, with druids acting as both priests and judges.”
9. Wicca
When to use: Referring to a modern Pagan religion, often focused on the worship of nature.
Example: “Wicca, as a form of modern paganism, often involves rituals celebrating natural cycles.”
10. Folk Religion
When to use: Suitable for traditional beliefs, especially those of a particular community or ethnic group.
Example: “Folk religion in the region includes a mixture of ancestral worship and local myths.”
11. Hellenism
When to use: Referring to the worship of the ancient Greek gods or the recreation of ancient Greek religious practices.
Example: “Hellenism is seeing a revival, with people rediscovering ancient Greek rituals and beliefs.”
12. Norse Paganism
When to use: For the pre-Christian religion of the Norse people, including the worship of gods like Odin and Thor.
Example: “Norse paganism was rich in legends, rituals, and heroic tales.”
13. Neo-paganism
When to use: Suitable for contemporary movements inspired by various historical pagan beliefs.
Example: “Neo-paganism encompasses a variety of modern religious movements drawing from ancient practices.”
14. Gentilism
When to use: Historically used for pagan beliefs as opposed to Christianity or Judaism.
Example: “Gentilism in the Middle Ages was often contrasted with the monotheistic practices of the dominant religions.”
15. Heresy (in historical contexts)
When to use: Historically, for beliefs and practices that were contrary to the accepted dogma of the established church.
Example: “In medieval Europe, heresy often referred to practices and beliefs outside of orthodox Christianity, including paganism.”
16. Mytholatry
When to use: Referring to the worship or excessive veneration of myths.
Example: “Mytholatry was common in cultures where myths played a central role in explaining the world.”
17. Infidelity (in historical contexts)
When to use: Historically, for disbelieving in the religion regarded as the true faith; used in contexts where paganism was contrasted with the faith of the ruling class.
Example: “In ancient times, infidelity often referred to the practice of religions other than the state-endorsed faith.”
18. Earth-centered Spirituality
When to use: For practices and beliefs that emphasize the sacredness of the Earth and nature.
Example: “Earth-centered spirituality is a key component of many indigenous religions worldwide.”
19. Traditional Religion
When to use: Suitable for the original religious beliefs and practices of a particular society or culture.
Example: “Traditional religion in this region includes ancestor worship and nature veneration.”
20. Ancestral Worship
When to use: Referring to rituals and practices that honor and remember ancestors.
Example: “Ancestral worship is an integral part of many Asian cultures, reflecting respect and reverence for forebears.”
